The Superman of it all is very real. How serious is Henry Cavill about returning to the Man Of Steel role and re-entering the DC Universe? Well, there’s no more apparent sign that he’s dropping his current money project at Netflix that’s probably paid him handsomely well in the last few years. That’s right, after this third season, Cavill is calling it quits with his lead role in “The Witcher.” Netflix revealed today—in a tweet of all things on a Saturday—some good news: “The Witcher” has received an early fourth season renewal. The bad news, however, is that Cavill is leaving, and the role is being recast with Liam Hemsworth (“Independence Day: Resurgence”).
No offense to Hemsworth, but this has to be seen as a downgrade for fans, the actor seemingly never really having had a role that he can chew into yet with any meaning. But hell, maybe this is his opportunity to show audiences what he can do and enliven “The Witcher,” a popular show but doesn’t exactly carry any critical acclaim.
READ MORE: Henry Cavill Makes Superman Return “Official” & Promises More Appearances In The Future
Some fans will be very ok with the tradeoff, as many have been dying to see Cavill return as Superman. The actor recently made his first quick appearance as the Man of Steel in six years, in the post-credits scene of “Black Adam,” seemingly as a tool of Amanda Waller’s Task Force X and as a warning to Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam character to stay in his lane and not panic the world.
“My journey as Geralt of Rivia has been filled with both monsters and adventures, and alas, I will be laying down my medallion and my swords for Season 4,” Cavill said in an Instagram statement. “In my stead, the fantastic Mr. Liam Hemsworth will be taking up the mantle of the White Wolf. As with the greatest of literary characters, I pass the torch with reverence for the time spent embodying Geralt and enthusiasm to see Liam’s take on this most fascinating and nuanced of men. Liam, good sir, this character has such a wonderful depth to him; enjoy diving in and seeing what you can find.”
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, though. “As a Witcher fan, I’m over the moon about the opportunity to play Geralt of Rivia. Henry Cavill has been an incredible Geralt, and I’m honored that he’s handing me the reins and allowing me to take up the White Wolf’s blades for the next chapter of his adventure,” Hemsworth said in a statement. “Henry, I’ve been a fan of yours for years and was inspired by what you brought to this beloved character. I may have some big boots to fill, but I’m truly excited to be stepping into The Witcher world.”
Either way, the message seems loud and clear. If Cavill is going to don the red cape again, he has to clear his other commitments, which means ditching “The Witcher.” It seems pretty evident that Cavill is laying the groundwork for his Superman return. In the most recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast (which you can hear below), Cavill wouldn’t reveal anything specific, but he said if fans are patient, they’ll get some news soon. Cavill is apparently meeting with writers now, trying to field pitches for a “Man Of Steel 2” and or a proper re-introduction into the DC Universe.